Open verdict in case of man found dead on beach

A Donegal musician whose body washed up in Strandhill in August 2016 had not been seen for weeks prior to his disappearance.

The inquest of Stephen Martin, who was living in Derry at the time, heard he left a note in his apartment before he went missing.

The 29-year-old was last seen on July 20 th 2016, before the letting agency contacted his mother, Marina, on August 8th to say that they had not received payment for rent from Mr. Martin.

On August 9 th, Mr. Martin was reported missing - his body was found in Strandhill on August 13th.

His car was left at Fanad Lighthouse, where it was understood to have been left for two weeks.

Following the discovery of Mr. Martin’s body, his mother Marina visited Sligo where she climbed Knocknarea and found a stone which she believed had been written on by her son with a black marker.

She visited Dolly’s Cottage and spoke with an elderly lady there who informed her that she remembered a male calling in who was wearing a long green coat.

Garda Caroline Bruen, who liaised with the parents of Stephen Martin and Gardaí in Donegal, was later informed by Sergeant Fergus McGroary in Milford Garda Station, of three incidents where Gardaí in Donegal had contact with a male by the name of Anthony Dawson and that his appearance was similar to that of Stephen Martin.

On July 24 th 2016, a search was conducted in Ardara, Co. Donegal for a man seen climbing a mountain towards a cliff. He was exhausted and was later transferred to Letterkenny University Hotel.

The man gave his name as Anthony Dawson of no fixed abode.

On July 25 th in Ballybofey, following reports from members of the public, Gardaí encountered a man who gave his identity as Anthony Dawson.

He was detained under the Mental Health Act and was conveyed to Letterkenny Garda Station. NowDoc were called, and he was not deemed to be a person who necessitated admission to a psychiatric unit. Anthony Dawson said he was OK and would look after himself. He spoke in a thick Dublin accent.

Two days later at Laghey, Co. Donegal, Donegal Town Gardaí encountered a man who again gave his name as Anthony Dawson. The man declined a lift, water and food and claimed he was walking around Ireland and was going to Sligo.

Later that day, Gardaí at Ballyshannon met the same man on the Bundoran/ Ballyshannon by-pass. He was taken to Ballyshannon Garda Station to get medical assistance. A doctor was unable to attend so an ambulance was called and he was transferred to Sligo University Hospital.

The man was seen by Dr. Philip Soden, Emergency Medicine Senior House Officer at Sligo University Hospital. Dr. Soden did not note any evidence of mental illness and the man did not express any ideas of self-harm.

Dr. Soden’s impression was that the man’s problems were due to his homelessness. He was kept in the Emergency Department overnight before being assessed by Social Worker, Joe McGowan.

Mr. McGowan noted the man said he would prefer to be known as ‘Anton’. When Mr. McGowan told the man he was concerned that he might be suffering from depression the man replied “I’m quite happy and I’m not depressed.” He also said he didn’t misuse alcohol or drugs.

The man claimed he had been homeless for around six years, and stated that he became homeless when his parents died. Joe McGowan offered to buy the man a ticket to Dublin where there were some good homeless person initiatives, but the man said he was going to stay around Sligo and do some sightseeing.

Having reviewed CCTV footage of the man named Anthony Dawson in Letterkenny Garda Station, Marina Martin confirmed that it was her son, Stephen Martin who had been using a fake name.

Coroner Eamonn MacGowan delivered an open verdict and said: “Stephen Martin died from salt water drowning. I would like to extend my sympathies to his family. Your son was a talented musician known to so many people in Sligo. Who knows why these things happen. It is such a tragedy for the family.”